Mission Hope Cancer Center sees more patients coming in for health screenings
SANTA MARIA, Calif. - Doctors at Mission Hope Cancer Center say a year ago people were neglecting
their healthcare.
"Last year we actually had a 10 percent increase in later stage colon cancer so
stage three stage four and a lot of that it was due to the lack of
screening because of COVID," said medical director Dr. Dustin Stevenson of Mission Hope Cancer Center.
But in the past few weeks, Stevenson says they’re seeing a lot
more early stage colon cancers.
"Because the earlier you diagnose a Cancer Trader Cancer is the more likely
you are to cure somebody of cancer that’s why screening is so important," said Stevenson.
Radiology physician Dr. Felix Yap says more patients are also coming in for
breast cancer screening.
"We definitely saw a dip in breast cancer screenings as well ... when the
pandemic hit ... but fortunately several months after the initial peak we did
see a rebound in breast cancer screening mammograms," said Yap.
Yap says he hopes to continue seeing more patients return for their
screenings in order to detect any early signs of cancer.
"Cancer doesn’t stop growing just because the pandemic is going on ...
that’s why it is so important to resume your cancer surveillance screening
as soon as possible ... and get back on track," said Yap.
Doctors want to encourage everyone to see your primary care doctor, and
starting around age 45, ask about colon cancer screening.
Doctors at Mission Hope Cancer Center and Marian Regional Medical Center are seeing more patients coming in for health screenings.
Throughout the pandemic, local gastroenterologists say people were neglecting their healthcare.
As a result, they saw more colon cancer patients came with severe conditions.
Doctors saw a two percent increase of colon cancer in women, especially between the ages of 45 and 49.
This year, doctors say they are glad to see patients returning to get screened.
Doctors want to encourage everyone to see your primary care doctor, and starting around age 45, ask about colon cancer screening.
